Messmer the Impaler stands as a formidable gatekeeper in the Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, renowned for his relentless assaults and punishing attack patterns. To overcome this challenging boss, Tarnished will need to master strategic gameplay, exploit his vulnerabilities, and utilize every resource at their disposal, from potent Spirit Ashes to elemental weapon infusions.
This comprehensive Messmer guide will provide you with the essential knowledge to defeat Messmer, detailing his location within the Shadow of the Erdtree, exposing his weaknesses, and outlining effective strategies to prepare for and execute during this demanding encounter.
Locating Messmer the Impaler in Elden Ring DLC
Messmer makes his stand in the Dark Chamber, situated above the Specimen Storeroom’s highest point within Shadow Keep. As a mandatory boss within the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, confronting Messmer is crucial to progressing through the storyline. You cannot circumvent this encounter.
Should you find yourself underprepared, Shadow Keep offers pathways to retreat. Utilizing the Watering Hole or the western gate allows you to venture back into the Lands Between, providing opportunities to acquire superior weaponry, gather essential upgrade materials, and further hone your skills before facing Messmer.
Exploiting Messmer’s Weaknesses: Preparation is Key
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon. Messmer the Impaler awaits the Tarnished in his chamber, posing a significant challenge in Elden Ring’s Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.
Messmer presents two significant vulnerabilities that can be leveraged to inflict substantial damage and gain a tactical advantage in the boss fight: Bleed and Frostbite. Builds and strategies centered around these status effects can dramatically improve your chances of success.
The following setup provides a balanced approach, accessible without demanding excessive specialization in a single attribute:
- Mimic Tear Spirit Ash (Upgraded to Max): The Mimic Tear remains an invaluable ally, drawing Messmer’s aggression and consistently applying status effects.
- Cold Infusion Ash of War: Equipping a standard weapon with a Cold Ash of War, such as Divine Beast Frost Stomp or Ghostflame Call, is crucial for inflicting Frostbite. These Ashes of War offer reliable Frostbite buildup alongside damage.
- Glintstone Icecrag Sorcery & Staff with S-Scaling: Glintstone Icecrag is a rapid-casting sorcery that efficiently applies Frostbite from a safe distance. A staff with S-rank sorcery scaling maximizes its effectiveness.
- (Optional) Secondary Physical Damage Weapon: Having a second weapon focused on physical damage allows for adaptability, enabling you to switch to raw damage when an opening arises or when status effects are already applied.
While standard weapons may have lower base damage compared to unique weapons, their capacity to be infused with Ashes of War that inflict Frostbite or Bleed makes them exceptionally valuable in this fight. Stacking these status effects is paramount to effectively reducing Messmer’s substantial health pool.
This strategic combination ensures your Mimic Tear, and potentially yourself, consistently apply Frostbite, leaving you to either reinforce this strategy or supplement with physical or magical damage as needed. However, be vigilant; Messmer’s attention is dynamic, shifting swiftly between targets. Do not become complacent in spellcasting, as he will quickly redirect his attacks towards you.
For players specializing in Bleed builds, substituting the Cold Ash of War with a Bleed-focused Ash is a viable alternative. Bloody Slash is particularly effective if you can maintain close proximity to Messmer, delivering substantial Bleed buildup with each strike. While Bleed builds lack a direct equivalent to the area-of-effect Frost Stomp, the raw damage and rapid Bleed application of skills like Bloody Slash can be highly effective.
Other commendable Spirit Ashes for this encounter include the Dung Eater Puppet, whose attacks inflict Bleed, and Ancient Dragon Florissax, obtainable after completing Bayle’s questline. Florissax exhibits surprising agility, adeptly evading attacks while her area-of-effect skills either damage Messmer directly or force him to dodge, creating openings for your own assaults.
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon. Messmer’s aggressive nature demands constant vigilance and strategic positioning during the Elden Ring DLC boss encounter.
However, it’s crucial to note that if your Revered Spirit Ash level is below seven, most Spirit Ashes, with the exception of the Mimic Tear, will struggle to endure Messmer’s onslaught. Prioritize increasing your Revered Spirit Ash level to enhance the survivability and effectiveness of your summons.
Alternative strategies exist to conquer Messmer. Melee-focused builds can inflict considerable damage with each successful hit. Mastering Messmer’s attack timings opens opportunities to overwhelm him with poise-breaking heavy attacks. If pursuing this approach, consider utilizing the Stonebarb Cracked Tear in your Flask of Wondrous Physick to significantly enhance stance breaking capabilities.
For sorcerers, a range of spells can be effective. Glintstone Icecrag, Adula’s Moonblade, Ranni’s Dark Moon, and Zamor Ice Storm are all potent choices for dealing damage and applying Frostbite. Rellana’s Twin Moons can deliver substantial damage, but its close-range requirement places you within Messmer’s attack range. Incantation users can consider Frozen Lightning Spear, which boasts surprising accuracy, and Aspect of the Crucible: Thorns, obtained from the Golden Hippopotamus, which provides a burst of high damage at close range.
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon. Messmer’s fire-based attacks are a significant part of his arsenal in the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.
Prior to entering Messmer’s arena, ensure your Scadutree Blessing level is at least 10, ideally higher. Detour to collect Scadutree Fragments if necessary to reach this crucial threshold. Activating a Rune Arc before the fight and consuming a Fireproof Pickled Liver to bolster fire resistance are also highly recommended. A significant portion of Messmer’s attacks are fire-based, making fire damage mitigation invaluable.
Spellcasters should equip Radagon’s Icon talisman to shorten casting time, while all builds will benefit from the Two-Headed Turtle talisman for enhanced stamina recovery. Summoning the NPC Hornsent can provide additional support, although his combat prowess is limited. He primarily serves as a distraction, drawing Messmer’s aggro and creating brief openings.
Mastering the Battle: How to Defeat Messmer the Impaler in Elden Ring DLC
The Messmer boss encounter is a demanding test of skill and adaptability. He combines the unpredictable movements and delayed attacks of the Dancing Lion with Rellana’s speed and efficiency. His target switching is fluid and rapid, often mid-combo, and even a single strike while he is focused on a summon will likely draw his immediate attention.
Attack openings are scarce, primarily appearing at the conclusion of his combos. Melee attacks carry considerable risk of immediate retaliation. A cautious approach, balancing evasion and calculated offense, is paramount to survival and victory.
Phase 1: Fury and Fire
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon. Messmer initiates combat with an aerial assault, setting the tone for his aggressive fighting style in the Elden Ring DLC.
The fight commences explosively. Messmer advances, levitates while conjuring a flaming shadow orb, then lunges forward, slamming into the ground. The orb detonates shortly after impact. Dodge the initial strike, pause briefly, then dodge again to evade the explosion.
Summon your Spirit Ash immediately after entering the arena, ideally before the orb detonates. After the explosion, reposition to the opposite side of the arena, hoping Messmer targets your summon. This provides a window to heal if you used the Mimic Tear and activate Hornsent’s summon sign if desired.
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon. Messmer’s opening attack is a powerful area-of-effect explosion, requiring precise dodging in the Elden Ring DLC.
Messmer employs a variety of spear and flame combos, often chaining them unpredictably. His basic spear combo involves a forward slash followed by a backhand. He may conclude with a thrust or utilize a thrust independently. Dodge forward or backward for the slashes, and forward or sideways for the thrust.
He frequently follows the spear combo with a delayed upward slash reminiscent of Margit. He drags his spear, pauses to disrupt dodge timing, then executes an upward slash capable of staggering you. Timely dodging is crucial, regardless of direction.
While sometimes limiting himself to non-flame attacks, Messmer often integrates fire skills. Weaker fire attacks include a flaming thrust and a frontal slash with an ignited spear, which can extend into another slash or thrust. These frontal fire attacks have a wide reach, demanding vigilance even at a distance.
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon. Close-quarters combat with Messmer in the Elden Ring DLC demands quick reflexes and precise timing.
Less frequently, he executes a flaming uppercut, followed by a spear slam if it connects. Dodge forward or sideways to avoid the initial uppercut.
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon. Messmer’s attacks are a mix of melee strikes and fire-based assaults in the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.
One of his most lethal combos begins with him rising into the air, engulfed in flames. He charges forward like the Dancing Lion; dodge forward accordingly. He then pivots and unleashes a rapid flurry of spear strikes. Dodge forward again to evade these. He concludes by slamming his spear into the ground.
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon. A flurry of spear attacks is part of Messmer’s devastating combo in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.
Flames erupt from the ground slam in smaller spear formations, often covering a wide area. Dodge timing for this eruption mirrors the initial orb explosion – wait a second after dodging the ground slam before dodging again.
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon. Messmer’s area-of-effect fire attacks can be challenging to avoid in the Elden Ring DLC.
Managing this phase requires constant dodging and adaptation. Messmer’s speed during combos leaves limited room for counterattacks. While poise breaking is possible, he is more resilient than earlier mandatory bosses. Relying solely on stance breaks is risky unless heavily buffed with colossal weapons.
When Messmer’s hand glows with flame and he draws it back, prepare for a grab attack. If successful, he inflicts fire damage, impales you causing blood loss, and then releases you. At 52 Vigor, this attack was consistently fatal unless at full health. The strike is slightly delayed; learning the timing may require taking a few hits. If he targets an ally, you have approximately four seconds to attack freely, and a brief window to attack as he recovers from a missed grab.
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon. Messmer’s relentless pursuit keeps the pressure on the player throughout the Elden Ring DLC boss fight.
He also conjures a flame blob that hovers and then homes in on you, similar to Flame Knights in Shadow Keep. Dodge just before impact.
Messmer employs deceptive feints. If he projects fire from his hand, akin to Mohg’s bloodflame, expect a swift spear attack or combo follow-up. The initial fire deals minimal damage unless you are extremely close, making dodging it essential to avoid the subsequent spear strike. Conversely, he can sweep his spear horizontally, unleashing a wide arc of fire that will inflict damage, potentially followed by a thrust or combo. You have sufficient time to dodge both the fire and subsequent attacks.
The key to damaging Messmer in phase 1 is patience and capitalizing on openings. He is briefly vulnerable after completing heavy combos – aerial attacks, grabs, and the spear drag. Limit yourself to one or two attacks during these windows to avoid retaliation. Ally summons can create distractions, but attacking him while he targets an ally will likely shift his focus to you without interrupting his current combo. Unlike Rellana, Messmer is less evasive, allowing for consistent dodging and counter-attacking if you maintain awareness.
Phase 2: Serpent’s Shadow
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon. Messmer’s transformation into a serpent marks the beginning of phase 2 in the Elden Ring DLC boss fight.
Phase 2 mirrors phase 1’s start. Snake-Messmer creates a larger flame orb and crashes down, with a more expansive explosion radius.
Messmer alternates between snake and spear attacks, retaining most phase 1 combos. He uses flame arc attacks less frequently, favoring the aerial combo or flaming thrusts. He also adds a rolling aerial spear crash to his repertoire.
Snake strikes become his primary attacks. Messmer transforms into a colossal shadow serpent and lunges across the arena, almost always targeting you, even with summons present. The snake attack usually repeats twice more before stopping, presenting a brief window to strike its head and then Messmer as he reforms. Less frequently, it stops after a single strike, but prepare for the full three-part combo.
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon. Phase 2 of the Messmer boss fight in Elden Ring DLC introduces new serpent-based attacks and patterns.
Dodge in any direction to avoid damage from the snake lunges. Remain ready to dodge again immediately for subsequent strikes.
Messmer also dissolves into a shadow pool, hovers beneath you briefly, and erupts as the serpent, slamming its head down. This attack is telegraphed, providing ample time to dodge, and leaves him vulnerable afterward.
Despite phase 2 being arguably more dangerous, Messmer becomes easier to hit. A one to two-second window opens after his snake attacks as he reverts to human form and is momentarily passive. Maximize damage during these openings. While he is in human form, prioritize dodging unless a clear, safe attack opportunity arises.
Image: FromSoftware/Bandai Namco via Polygon. Messmer’s serpent transformation adds a new layer of challenge to the Elden Ring DLC boss fight.
Upon victory, you receive the Remembrance of the Impaler, which can be exchanged for his spear or the incantation to summon his flaming orb. You also acquire a flame to dispel shadow, but Belurat Tower remains inaccessible for now. Exit Shadow Keep via the western gate to continue your journey.
Seeking further Shadow of the Erdtree guidance? Explore our comprehensive guides on new Elden Ring DLC weapons, armor, bosses, map fragments, sites of grace, and talismans. We also offer location guides for Scadutree Fragments and Revered Spirit Ashes, alongside an interactive Elden Ring DLC map.
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